A method providing automating detection of configuration between an adapter device and a DRAM device. Such a method a determines, in the adapter memory, the DRAM configuration, making it easier to change DRAM configuration in an existing board without the need to modify configuration pins in the existing board. A method for determining a configuration type in an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications network comprising the steps of providing an ATM adapter, the ATM adapter having an ATM adapter memory, providing a DRAM device, the DRAM device having a DRAM configuration, providing a link to connect the ATM adapter and the DRAM device, assuming, in the ATM adapter memory, a first DRAM configuration, verifying the step of assuming, and repeating the steps of assuming and verifying until the first DRAM configuration is determined.